Mechanical break horse

ABSTRACT

Three vertically arranged pairs of inwardly directed probe assemblies are mounted on movable opposed vertical track members. The probes on each track member are linked to one another by a lifting rod so as to sequentially rise when air is supplied to pneumatic cylinders. In use, the probes are first directed into a hogshead of tobacco from opposite sides and then the probes are sequentially lifted, thereby completely separating the hogshead between each point of penetration to allow efficient inspection of the interior.

United States Patent Barnett et al.

[54] MECHANICAL BREAK HORSE [72] Inventors: Joseph Barnett, Wilson, NC; John D.

Smith, Richmond, Va.

[7 3 Assignee: Export Leaf Tobacco Company,

Richmond, Va.

[22] Filed: Dec. 21, 1970 21 Appl. No.: 99,786

[451 May 16, 1972 3,204,904 9/ 1965 Peterson ..2l4/8.5 R

Primary Examiner-Othell M. Simpson Att0rney--Kane, Dalsimer, Kane, Sullivan & Smith [57] ABSTRACT Three vertically arranged pairs of inwardly directed probe assemblies are mounted on movable opposed vertical track members. The probes on each track member are linked to one another by a lifting rod so as to sequentially rise when air is [52] us CLW 131/149 214/85 R supplied to pneumatic cylinders. in use, the probes are first 51 im. Cl. .B66f3/24 directed a hgshead Sides and 58 Field of Search ..2l4/8.5 ss 8.5 R- 254/93 R Probes are Sequemially fled, hereby mP|etelY 254/93 131/149 separating the hogshead between each point of penetration to allow efi'icient inspection of the interior.

[56] References Cited 18 Cl 6 Drawing figures UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,187,917 6/1965 Miller ..2l4/8.5 R

E/&

Patented May 16, 1972 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 ATTORNEYS INVENTORS (/UJEPH Efl/P/VETT JOHN 0. 5mm BY AWD -KQ f/A'. r

Patented May 16, 1972 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 FIG. 5

INVENTORS JOSEPH BAP/V57 r JOHN D. SAI/I'H BY A,LM/ f ATTORNEYS 2 Patented May 16, 1972 3,662,990

4 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTORS (/OSEPI/ JflR/VETT (/UH/V 0. SMITH ATTORNEYS MECHANICAL BREAK HORSE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention This invention relates to apparatus for inspecting the interior of a hogshead and, more particularly, to a mechanical break horse for splitting a hogshead into sections for inspection of the hogshead interior.

2. Description of the Prior Art It has always been the practice in the tobacco industry to store flue-cured prized loose leaf tobacco in hogsheads for future use. It has been necessary to inspect these hogsheads prior to use for determining the quality of the tobacco stored therein and if any off-grade or damaged tobacco is included. In practice, the hogshead, which is a cask or barrel-type of container, was dismantled so that the packed tobacco was setting free on a platform. The tobacco was then separated by the use of a manually operated break horse, which consisted of an upright standard with slots at various heights, the slots serving as fulcrums for a lever inserted into the side of the hogshead. The long end of the lever was then manually pulled down so that the inserted end would raise a portion of the hogshead, thereby separating the tobacco and allowing a pera son to reach into the interior of the hogshead to sample a leaf of the interior tobacco. Several men were required to operate the lever and the operation had to be repeated several times at various levels to get a true sampling of the tobacco contained therein. Only one side of the hogshead was lifted, making it difficult to obtain samples from the very center; therefore, it was necessary that the hogshead be split at various points around its periphery.

Thus, the prior art does not provide a device for completely separating a hogshead of tobacco for efficient inspection of the tobacco contained in the interior thereof.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention contemplates a mechanical break horse consisting of a frame having movable opposed vertical track members, each including three vertically arranged pairs of inwardly directed probes. The vertical tracks are spaced apart so that a hogshead may be rolled between them at which time the vertical tracks are pneumatically pressed towards each side of the hogshead so that the probes penetrate into the tobacco. The pairs of probes are linked together by a lifting rod so as to sequentially rise when pressure is applied to pneumatically operated vertical cylinders. The probes completely separate the hogshead into four separate pieces allowing the interior of the hogshead to be sampled at three levels, thus providing efficient inspection of the hogshead interior.

The mechanical break horse is operated by one individual and requires only two controls. One control is for operating the movable opposed track members so that the probes penetrate the hogshead, and the other control is for sequentially lifting the pairs of probes, thereby separating the hogshead. The device provides for inspection of the center core of the hogshead at several levels. The entire operation may be performed by one man, thereby eliminating the need for several men and the need for probing the hogshead numerous times to achieve an adequate sampling of the tobacco therein.

The primary objective of the present invention is to completely expose the interior of a hogshead of tobacco for inspecting the center core.

Another objective of the present invention is to decrease the time required to properly inspect a hogshead of tobacco.

Another objective of the present invention is to reduce the number of men required to properly inspect a hogshead of tobacco.

Another objective of the present invention is to expose the center core of a hogshead of tobacco at several levels in one inspection operation.

Another objective of the present invention is to separate a hogshead of tobacco into several layers for better handling of the tobacco by bulk feeders which supply the tobacco to threshers.

The foregoing and other objects and advantages of the invention will appear more fully hereinafter from a consideration of the detailed description which follows, taken together with the accompanying drawings wherein one embodiment of the invention is illustrated by way of example. It is to be expressly understood, however, that the drawings are for illustration purposes only and are not to be considered as defining the limits of the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is an elevational view of a break horse constructed in accordance with the present invention and shown with the probes retracted;

FIG. 2 is a plan view of one side of the break horse of FIG. 1, taken along line 2-2 of FIG. 1, and shown without the pneumatic connections;

FIG. 3 is a side elevational view of the break horse of FIG. 1 shown without the pneumatic connections;

FIG. 4 is a partial sectional view taken along line 4-4 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of the pneumatic circuitry of the present invention; and

FIG. 6 is an elevational view of the break horse of FIG. 1, shown with the probes extended and in the raised position.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Referring to FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, there is shown a base plate 1 formed in two portions 1a and lb joined together by a fastening strip 3. Mounted substantially along the centers of base plates 1a and lb and aligned with each other are track assemblies 5a and 5b, which are identical to each other; therefore, only track assembly 5a will be described. Track assembly 50 comprises two parallel metal plates 7a and 9a spaced apart and mounted on base plate la. Two additional parallel plates 11a and 13a are mounted on top of plates 7a and 9a, and have a lesser distance therebetween than plates 7a and 9a. Plates 11a and 13 a form tracks for a dolly assembly 150, which will be described in detail subsequently.

Four upstanding tubular support members 17a, 17b, 19 a and 19b are welded to base plate 1 and a pair of jack guides 21a and 21b formed of metal plating are welded thereto and spaced sufficiently apart for receiving a hogshead of tobacco therebetween. A pair of probe guides 23a and 250 are formed of tubular material bent into a U-shape. The ends of probe guides 23a and 25a are fixedly attached to jack guide 21a and the probe guides are spaced about 15 inches apart. Likewise, probe guides 23b and 25b are formed in an identical manner and mounted to jack guide 21b. A tubular support member 27 is welded in a vertical position to base plate la for supporting a control panel 29 which has four-way control valves 31 and 33 mounted thereon.

Two identical dolly assemblies 15a and 15b are associated with track assemblies 5a and 5b, respectively. Since the dolly assemblies are identical only dolly assembly 15a will be described by referring to FIGS. 3 and 4. A carrier plate 35, of sufficient size to fit freely in a space between plates 1a, 7a, 9a, 11a and 13a, is positioned within the space and has two journal blocks 37 fixedly attached to the top surface by means of bolts 39. Each journal block has an horizontal axle 41 mounted therein and extending from each side thereof. Wheel members 43 are joumaled on the extending portions of axles 41 and are positioned to ride on plates 11a and 13a for supporting the dolly assembly and for providing freedom of motion in the directions as shown by arrows 45 in FIG. 4. A pair of I-beams 47a and 47b are welded in an upstanding position to the top surfaces of the carrier plates of dolly assemblies 15:: and 15b to form a pair of vertical tracks.

Support members 49a, 49b, 51a and 51b are mounted on plates 11a, 11b, 13a and 13b, respectively. A U-shaped bracket 53a is bolted to support members 490 and 51a.

Likewise, a U-shaped bracket 53b is bolted to support members 49b and 51b. Mounted between the closed end of U- shaped bracket 53a and I-beam 47a is a pneumatic cylinder 55a and mounted between U-shaped bracket 53b and l-beam 47b is a pneumatic cylinder 55b. Cylinder 55a is connected to control valve 31 by pneumatic supply lines 57, and cylinder 55b is connected to control valve 31 by pneumatic supply lines 59, which consist partly of flexible hose and partly of ridged tubing. Mounted atop of I-beams 47a and 47b are supply line brackets 61a and 61b for supporting the pneumatic supply lines 59, the rigid portions of which are slidably mounted in brackets 61a and 61b to allow for horizontal motion of lbeams 47a and 47b.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, there is shown aprobe assembly having two vertical sides 63 connected by a vertical center plate 65 welded between the two side plates and perpendicular thereto. Four trolley hoist wheels 67 are rotatably mounted to side plates 63, to form two pairs of opposed wheels. Wheels 67 are of such size that they may ride in the opposed channels of l-beam 47b, so that the probe assembly may move vertically along the I-beam. Two horizontal probe supports 69 are welded to the outer surfaces of side plates 63 for supporting probes 71. Probes 71 are constructed of l-inch cold rolled steel rod, having one end squared off and the other end tapered to form a point at a distance of approximately 18 inches from the squared off end. The probes are spaced approximately inches apart for proper penetration into the hogshead and welded to the probe supports 69. A cover assembly 73 is provided to cover the trolley hoist wheels for purposes of safe operation. Two lifting plates 75 are welded to the probe supports 69 and end plates 63 and have openings 77 formed therein.

I-beams 47a and 47b each have three probe assemblies mounted thereto. All of the probe assemblies are identical except the uppermost probe assembly mounted on each l-beam. The two uppermost probe assemblies have a portion of the side plates removed and a U-shaped mounting bracket 79 welded to the side plates. Each I-beam has mounted on the top a cylinder support bracket 81a and 81b for supporting pneumatic cylinders 83a and 83b which are also connected to the U-shaped brackets 79 of the uppermost probe assembly. Pneumatic cylinders 83a and 83b are connected to control valve 33 through pneumatic lines 85 having flexible portions and ridged portions. Valve 33 controls the pneumatic cylinders 83a and 83b for raising or lowering the uppermost probe assembly.

Four lifting rods 87 are placed through the openings 77 of the probe assemblies and are welded to the lift plates 75 of the middle probe assembly mounted on each I-beam. The upper ends of connecting rods 87 are threaded for receiving upper stop members 89 which are threaded thereon. Upper stop members 89 are positioned so that the lift plates of the upper probe assemblies make contact with the stop members after the probe assemblies are lifted a specified distance. After contact is made both the upper probe assemblies and the middle probe assemblies are lifted together under the force of the pneumatic cylinders acting through the lift plates, the stop members and the lifting rods. Lower stop members 91 are threaded on to the lower end of lifting rods 87 and positioned so that when rods 87 are lifted a specified distance, stop members 91 contact the lift plates of the lower probe assemblies which are then lifted in sequence by pneumatic cylinders 83a and 83b.

Referring to FIG. 5, there is shown a schematic diagram of the pneumatic circuit for the pneumatic cylinders. A main air supply 93 is connected to each of the four-way valves 31 and 33. Valve 33 has a first output 95 connected to pneumatic cylinders 83a and 83b for supplying air thereto for lifting the probe assemblies. Valve 33 also has a second output 97 connected to pneumatic cylinders 83a and 83b for supplying air thereto when the probe assemblies are to be lowered. Likewise, valve 31 has first and second outputs 99 and 101 connected to pneumatic cylinders 55a and 55b for controlling the horizontal movement of l-beam 47a and 47b. Both valves 31 and 33 have exhaust vents 103 for controllably exhausting air previously supplied to the pneumatic cylinders.

While the device has been described utilizing pneumatic cylinders, it is to be understood that one skilled in the art could easily utilize hydraulically operated cylinders or even a rack and pinion mechanism.

In operation, an operator rolls a hogshead of tobacco between the probe guides 23a and 23b. The jack guides 21a and 21b function to guide and direct the hogshead to its proper position between the probe guides. Valve 31 is then actuated to supply air to cylinders 53a and 53b to drive the L beams 47a and 47b towards the hogshead so that probes 71 penetrate a substantial distance into the hogshead. Valve 33 is then actuated to supply air to cylinders 83a and 83b for lifting the probe assemblies in sequence as previously explained. The upper probe assemblies are lifted first by cylinders 83 causing the hogshead to split under the force of its own weight, somewhere between the upper probe assemblies and the middle probe assemblies. When the upper probe assemblies contact stop members 89, the middle probe assemblies begin to rise causing the hogshead to split somewhere between the middle and lower probe assemblies. When the stop members 91 contact the lower probe assemblies, they, in turn, rise causing the hogshead to split somewhere below the lower probe assemblies. Lift rods 87 are designed so that the separated pieces of the hogshead have sufficient space between them so that the operator may obtain samples of the tobacco from the center of the hogshead. FIG. 6 shows the mechanical break horse with the probes inserted and lifted. After obtaining the samples and properly identifying them, the operator then activates valve 33 to lower the separated pieces of the hogshead and then valve 31 is activated to withdraw the probes so that the hogshead may be wheeled away to the threshing machines.

Thus, the hogshead of tobacco is separated at several different levels to completely expose the interior thereof for more efficient inspection of the tobacco contained therein. The inspection may be conducted by an individual operator and may be completed in less time than was heretofore required. The hogshead is also broken into four separate portions for better handling of the tobacco by bulk feeders which supply the tobacco to threshing machines. Thus, the present invention provides for a more comprehensive inspection of a hogshead of tobacco while requiring less time than the devices provided heretofore.

We claim:

1. An apparatus for separating compressed material into a plurality of pieces, comprising a pair of opposed track members spaced apart to receive the compressed material therebetween;

a plurality of gripping means for gripping the compressed material at a plurality of positions along the material, said gripping means being mounted for movement along the track members;

means for activating the gripping means;

means for moving the gripping means along the track members and for increasing the distance between adjacent gripping means, whereby the material is separated into a plurality of pieces; and

means for de-activating the gripping means so that the material is released.

2. An apparatus, as describedin claim 1, wherein each gripping means includes:

a probe assembly having probes directed toward the compressed material;

means for driving the probes into the compressed material in response to the activating means; and

means for retracting the probes from the material in response to the de-activating means. i

3. An apparatus, as described in claim 2, wherein each track member has an equal number of probe assemblies mounted thereon, each probe assembly being arranged to operate in cooperation with a probe assembly mounted on the opposed track member so that the probes are opposed and are driven into opposite sides of the material.

4. An apparatus, as described in claim 3, wherein each probe assembly has two probes.

5. An apparatus, as described in claim 3, wherein the driving and retracting means include:

first and second tracks;

first and second dolly assemblies associated with the first and second tracks, respectively, and having mounted thereon and perpendicular thereto the opposed track members; and

means for moving the dolly assemblies along the tracks so that the opposed probes are either driven into the compressed material or retracted therefrom.

6. An apparatus, as described in claim 5, wherein the means for moving the dolly assemblies comprises a pair of pneumatic cylinders and the activating and de-activating means includes a control valve.

7. An apparatus, as described in claim 1, wherein the means for activating and for de-activating the gripping means comprises a control valve and pneumatic cylinders connected and responsive thereto for operating the gripping means.

8. An apparatus, as described in claim 3, wherein the driving and retracting means include a control valve and pneumatic cylinders connected and responsive thereto for driving the probes into the compressed material and for retracting the same.

9. An apparatus, as described in claim 1, wherein the means for moving the gripping means includes:

a control valve; and

a pneumatic cylinder connected to and responsive to the control valve.

10. An apparatus, as described in claim 3, wherein the means for moving the assemblies along the track members includes a pair of pneumatic cylinders operatively connected to a control valve and responsive thereto.

11. An apparatus, as described in claim 1, wherein the means for moving the gripping means includes means for sequentially moving the gripping means.

12. An apparatus, as described in claim 11, wherein the means for sequentially moving the gripping means comprises:

a lifting rod slidably disposed through the gripping means;

and

means for moving the lift rod along the track members, said lifting rod having stop members formed and arranged to sequentially engage the gripping means as the lifting rod is moved along the track members, whereby the distance between adjacent gripping means is sequentially increased.

13. An apparatus, as described in claim 12, wherein the means for moving the lifting rod along the track members comprises a pneumatic cylinder operatively connected to a control valve.

14. An apparatus, as described in claim 3, wherein the means for moving the probe assemblies includes means for sequentially moving pairs of opposed probe assemblies.

15. An apparatus, as described in claim 14, wherein the means for sequentially moving the pairs of probe assemblies includes:

a lifting rod associated with the probe assemblies mounted on each opposed track member; and

means for moving the lifting rods along the track members,

said lifting rods having stops formed and arranged to sequentially engage the probe assemblies.

16. An apparatus, as described in claim 15, wherein the means for moving the lifting rods include a control valve and a pair of pneumatic cylinders operatively connected thereto.

17. An apparatus, as described in claim 16, having three probe assemblies mounted on each of the opposed track members, the uppermost probe assembly on each track member being connected to the pneumatic cylinder associated with the track member on which the probe assembly is mounted, the

lifting rods being fixedly attached to the middle robe assemb y of each track member and slidably dispose through the upper and lowermost probe assemblies of each track member, the lifting rods having stop means positioned so that when the pneumatic cylinders lift the uppermost probe assemblies a specified distance, the probe assembly contacts the stop means to lift the lifting rods causing the middle probe assemblies to begin to lift and after a pre-determined distance, the stop means engage the lowermost probe assemblies, causing them to lift under the force of the pneumatic cylinders.

18. An apparatus for separating compressed material into a plurality of pieces, comprising:

first and second tracks;

first and second dolly assemblies mounted to ride on the first and second tracks, respectively;

first and second opposed track members mounted on said dolly assemblies and perpendicular thereto;

a plurality of probe assemblies slidably mounted on each opposed track member, each probe assembly being arranged to operate in cooperation with a probe assembly mounted on the opposed track member;

a plurality of probes mounted to said probe assemblies and directed toward the opposed probe assembly, the opposed track members being spaced sufficiently apart to receive the compressed material between the opposed probes;

means for driving said dolly assemblies and the opposed track members along the tracks so that the probes are driven into and retracted from the compressed material; and

means for sequentially lifting the probe assemblies and for increasing the distance between adjacent probe assemblies, whereby the material is separated into a plurality of pieces. 

1. An apparatus for separating compressed material into a plurality of pieces, comprising a pair of opposed track members spaced apart to receive the compressed material therebetween; a plurality of gripping means for gripping the compressed material at a plurality of positions along the material, said gripping means being mounted for movement along the track members; means for activating the gripping means; means for moving the gripping means along the track members and for increasing the distance between adjacent gripping means, whereby the material is separated into a plurality of pieces; and means for de-activating the gripping means so that the material is released.
 2. An apparatus, as described in claim 1, wherein each gripping means includes: a probe assembly having probes directed toward the compressed material; means for driving the probes into the compressed material in response to the activating means; and means for retracting the probes from the material in response to the de-activating means.
 3. An apparatus, as described in claim 2, wherein each track member has an equal number of probe assemblies mounted thereon, each probe assembly being arranged to operate in cooperation with a probe assembly mounted on the opposed track member so that the probes are opposed and are driven into opposite sides of the material.
 4. An apparatus, as described in claim 3, wherein each probe assembly has two probes.
 5. An apparatus, as described in claim 3, wherein the driving and retracting means include: first and second tracks; first and second dolly assemblies associated with the first and second tracks, respectively, and having mounted thereon and perpendicular thereto the opposed track members; and means for moving the dolly assemblies along the tracks so that the opposed probes are either driven into the compressed material or retracted therefrom.
 6. An apparatus, as described in claim 5, wherein the means for moving the dolly assemblies comprises a pair of pneumatic cylinders and the activating and de-activating means includes a control valve.
 7. An apparatus, as described in claim 1, wherein the means for activating and for de-activating the gripping means comprises a control valve and pneumatic cylinders connected and responsive thereto for operating the gripping means.
 8. An apparatus, as described in claim 3, wherein the driving and retracting means include a control valve and pneumatic cylinders connected and responsive thereto for driving the probes into the compressed material and for retracting the same.
 9. An apparatus, as described in claim 1, wherein the means for moving the gripping means includes: a control valve; and a pneumatic cylinder connected to and responsive to the control valve.
 10. An apparatus, as described in claim 3, wherein the means for moving the assemblies along the track members includes a pair of pneumatic cylinders operatively connected to a control valve and responsive thereto.
 11. An apparatus, as described in claim 1, wherein the means for moving the gripping means includes means for sequentially moving the gripping means.
 12. An apparatus, as described in claim 11, wherein the means for sequentially moving the gripping means comprises: a lifting rod slidably disposed through the gripping means; and means for moving the lift rod along the track members, said lifting rod having stop members formed and arranged to sequentially engage the gripping means as the lifting rod is moved along the track members, whereby the distance between adjacent gripping means is sequentiaLly increased.
 13. An apparatus, as described in claim 12, wherein the means for moving the lifting rod along the track members comprises a pneumatic cylinder operatively connected to a control valve.
 14. An apparatus, as described in claim 3, wherein the means for moving the probe assemblies includes means for sequentially moving pairs of opposed probe assemblies.
 15. An apparatus, as described in claim 14, wherein the means for sequentially moving the pairs of probe assemblies includes: a lifting rod associated with the probe assemblies mounted on each opposed track member; and means for moving the lifting rods along the track members, said lifting rods having stops formed and arranged to sequentially engage the probe assemblies.
 16. An apparatus, as described in claim 15, wherein the means for moving the lifting rods include a control valve and a pair of pneumatic cylinders operatively connected thereto.
 17. An apparatus, as described in claim 16, having three probe assemblies mounted on each of the opposed track members, the uppermost probe assembly on each track member being connected to the pneumatic cylinder associated with the track member on which the probe assembly is mounted, the lifting rods being fixedly attached to the middle probe assembly of each track member and slidably disposed through the upper and lowermost probe assemblies of each track member, the lifting rods having stop means positioned so that when the pneumatic cylinders lift the uppermost probe assemblies a specified distance, the probe assembly contacts the stop means to lift the lifting rods causing the middle probe assemblies to begin to lift and after a pre-determined distance, the stop means engage the lowermost probe assemblies, causing them to lift under the force of the pneumatic cylinders.
 18. An apparatus for separating compressed material into a plurality of pieces, comprising: first and second tracks; first and second dolly assemblies mounted to ride on the first and second tracks, respectively; first and second opposed track members mounted on said dolly assemblies and perpendicular thereto; a plurality of probe assemblies slidably mounted on each opposed track member, each probe assembly being arranged to operate in cooperation with a probe assembly mounted on the opposed track member; a plurality of probes mounted to said probe assemblies and directed toward the opposed probe assembly, the opposed track members being spaced sufficiently apart to receive the compressed material between the opposed probes; means for driving said dolly assemblies and the opposed track members along the tracks so that the probes are driven into and retracted from the compressed material; and means for sequentially lifting the probe assemblies and for increasing the distance between adjacent probe assemblies, whereby the material is separated into a plurality of pieces. 